Communication University of China (CUC) and Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) have maintained a close cooperative relationship in many aspects, such as sending Chinese language teachers and volunteers, and jointly building the Confucius Institute of UFRGS，etc.

Song Xuewei and Liu Sinan are masters in Chinese International Education in CUC, who are government-sponsored teachers at the Confucius Institute of UFRGS. Whenever the institute holds activities like Open Day and Chinese Bridge to encourage students to learn more about Chinese culture, Chinese teachers like Song and Liu will play important roles in planning and organizing such activities. “I would show the students Chinese calligraphy, paper- cut and Chinese knots. Besides, I often volunteer to take photos, write news reports and undertake other publicity tasks,” said Song. 

Chinese teachers and Portuguese students in activity held by the Confucius Institute of UFRGS 

The teachers there face many challenges. “Communication can be a real problem since most of the Chinese teachers only speak English as a second language, few of us know Portuguese,” Liu Sinan explained, “There are also problems with the teaching schedule, as the level of Chinese varies in different students.” Despite all the difficulties, everyone unites as one to solve the problems. In addition, at the Confucius Institute of UFRGS, there are regular Portuguese lessons provided for the Chinese teachers. “The experience there has really broadened my horizon, accumulated my teaching experience and made me become more patient,” Liu added. 

Liu Sinan leads the students to participate in the Chinese Bridge competition

Besides the volunteer teachers from China, there are also international students from the Confucius Institute of  UFRGS devoting themselves in the cultural exchanges between China and Portugal.

 Artur Basilio Venturella Alves (文杜)is a winner of scholarship for Chinese language study at the Confucius Institute, now studying Chinese as an exchange student in CUC. “The courses I’m taking now teach us  more about how to  understand Chinese and express ourselves with it,” he said, “and for me, there is still a long way to go.” According to Artur, he has improved a lot in Chinese after half a year’s study in CUC, as the school manages to provide a more systematical way for students to learn and there’s a frequent and close communication among students from different backgrounds. 

Artur participates in the Open Day at the Confucius Institute

“Learning Chinese has made me understand the Chinese culture better and I hope I can live in China in the future,” said Joana Machado Leindecker (霏霏), who is also a winner of scholarship for Chinese language study at the  Confucius Institute. After one year study  in CUC as an exchange student, she is more determined to stay in China, using her expertise to develop a career. 

Joana in the final of Chinese Bridge competition in Brazil

Whether in China or Brazil, whether in CUC, or UFRGS, whether as overseas Chinese teaching volunteers in Brazil or as Brazilian exchange students in China, they are all ambassadors of different cultures, builders of friendship between the countries. And through the Confucius Institute as a bridge, we see the Chinese culture and spirit well exhibited for more and more people all over the world.

(Editor: Zhang Xu    Arshad Bhatti)